Bracelet.



UNITED STATES Patented Apri1 18, 19b5.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH F. RIOUX, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO A. A. GREENE & 00., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BRACELET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 87,639, dated April 18, 1905.

Application filed December 12, 1904. Serial No. 236,528-

Z'!) all 'IU7I/07'H/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I. JOSEPH F. RIoUX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bracelets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improvement in bracelets, and more particularly to an improvement in bracelets composed of a plurality of spring-actuated units.

In bracelets composed of a plurality of spring-actuated units each unit as heretofore constructed was composed of a multiple of parts, sometimes as high as sixteen parts to a unit. Such parts being extremely small and fragile are liable to wear out quickly or break, thus ruining the utility of the bracelet. Also the cost of manufacturing such. bracelets is prohibitive except in bracelets that can be sold for a high price.

The object of. my invention is to simplify the construction of a bracelet composed of a plurality of spring-actuated units, thus reducing the cost of manufacturing the same. A further object of my invention is to strengthen the construction of the units, thereby lengthening the period of wear and reducing liability of the parts breaking in use to a minimum.

My invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction of a bracelet composed of a plurality of spring-actuated units, each unit consisting of a shell forming the body of the unit and the face of the bracelet, a combination connecting-link and spring extending through slots in the sides of the shell, said link consisting of a spring-wire first bent substantially U-shaped, then outwardly to form stops, and then inwardly to form spring-arms,

the closed end of the U beinghookedover one side of a shell and the spring-arms bearing on the inside of the adjacent shell, and a back plate secured to the shell by rolling the edge of the shell over the plate to secure the connecting-link and spring in the shell, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

Figure 1 is an edge view of a bracelet composed of a plurality of my improved springactuated units. Fig. 2 is a face view of the 5 bracelet. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view looking at the back of three units, showing the back plates of the units removed and the position the springs (formed integral with the connecting-links) would assume to hold the 5-5 units in their normal or contracted position. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the position the spring on the connecting-link would assume with the units in their expanded position. Fig. 5 is a side view of. the shell, 6 showing the slots in the side of the shell for a connecting-link. Fig. 6 is a view of the shell looking at the back. Fig.'7 is a face view of the combination connecting-link and spring. Fig. 8 is a view looking at the back 5 of the back plate, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken lengthwise through a complete unit.

In the drawings, a indicates a bracelet composed of a plurality of the spring-actuated units 5 6, each unit consisting of the shell 0, 7 the combination connecting-link and spring d, formed integral, and the back plate 6. The metal beads ff are used on the connectinglinks d d between the units when it is desired to give an open effect to the bracelet.

The shell 0 is stamped up from sheet metal to form the sides 0 c, in which are the slots c 0 for the stems of the connecting-links (Z d. These shells form the body of the units and may be of any design or configuration de- 30 sired.

The combination connecting-link and spring (Z is formed integral of spring-wire, bent first substantially U-shaped to form the bar d, representing the closed end of the U, and the 5 connecting-stems 6Z2 (Z representing the arms of the U. Each arm of the U is now bent outward at a predetermined point and then back on itself to form the stops 0Z (Z and then inwardly toward the bar d to form the spring- 9 arms (Fd, the ends d d' of which where they bear on the inside of the shell may be curved, as shown in Fig. 7.

The back plate 0 is stamped from sheet. metal to fit the shell 0 and has the depressed annular lip e, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In assembling the units to form a bracelet each shell 00 is connected to the adjacent shell by placing the bar (Z of the connecting-link (Z in one shell and the spring-arms d (Z in the adjoining shell,the connecting-stems (Z 2 (Z 2 extending through the slots 0 0 in the shells, as shown in Fig. 3. The back plates 0 e are now placed in position and secured by rolling the edge of the shell over the depressed lip c on the back plate, thus giving a smooth exterior surface to the backs of the units. The bracelet can now be expanded by pulling the units apart against the tension of the springarms d*d*,the stops 'd d limiting the expansion of the units, as shown in Fig. 4:. When released,the units assume their normal or contracted position by the contraction of the spring-arms, as shown in Fig. 3.

In forming the spring-arms (F (Z integral with the connecting-link (Z it is evident that the arms could be given any shape desired without materially affecting the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a bracelet, a plurality of spring-actuated units, each unit consisting of a shell having sides in which are slots,a combination connecting-link and spring formed integral from aspring-wire bent substantially U-shaped and then bent inwardly to form spring-arms, and a back plate, as described. A

2. In a bracelet, a plurality of spring-actuated units, each'unit consisting of a shell having sides in which are slots, a combination connecting-link and spring formed integral from spring-wire bent first substantially U-shaped, then outwardly and back to form stops, and then inwardly to form spring-arms, and a back plate secured to the shell by rolling the edge of the shell over the plate, as described.

3. In a bracelet composed of a plurality of spring-actuated units, a combination connecting-link and spring formed integral of springwire bent to form the bar d, the connectingstems d (1 the stops d (i and the springarms (Z cl", as described.

4. A bracelet composed of a plurality of the spring-actuated units 7) 6, each unit consisting of a shell 0 having the sides 0 0 in which are the slots 0 0 a combination connecting-link and spring d formed integral of spring-wire to have the bar d, the connecting-stems d (V, the stops (Z cl the spring-arms d d, a back plate 0 having the depressed lipe, and means for securing the back plate to the shell, as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OSEPH F. RIOUX.

WVitnesses:

ADA E. HAGERTY, J. A. MILLER, Jr. 

